Product Dispenser and System with Container Opening Feature

ABSTRACT

A product dispensing system including a dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the dispenser frame including a first support deck longitudinally extending at least partially between the front end and the rear end, and a second support deck positioned below the first support deck, the second support deck defining a product display area, and a catch element laterally extending at least partially across the first support deck, the catch element including a first end laterally opposed from a second end, wherein the first end includes a first cutting edge and the second end includes a second cutting edge.

FIELD

This application relates to the dispensing of products from packaging containers and, more particularly, to product dispensers configured to cooperate with packaging containers to dispense products.

BACKGROUND

Products are typically shipped to retailers in bulk by enclosing multiple individual product units in a container, such as a carton or box. For example, canned foods may be shipped to a retailer in a box containing a number of individual cans. Then, it is typically the retailer's obligation to remove the individual product units from the container and present them to consumers.

Alternatives to the traditional package-ship-unpack-display model have been developed in an effort to improve operating efficiency. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,437 to Loftin et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, discloses a new system for dispensing and displaying products packaged in a container. Specifically, the system includes a frame having a support structure, a product display area and an opening tool. The frame may be positioned on a retailer's shelf and loaded with product simply by placing a container comprising multiple units of product onto the support structure of the frame. As the container is being placed onto the support structure, the opening tool of the frame opens the container in such a manner that products roll from the container and down to the product display area of the frame under the force of gravity.

As another example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/032,734 filed by Gelardi et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, discloses a product dispensing system that utilizes an opening tool having a catch element that engages and opens a container as the container is loaded onto the dispenser, and then guides the container to avoid interference between the dispensing products and the open container.

Despite advances already made in the field, those skilled in the art continue with research and development efforts directed to apparatus and systems for dispensing products from packaging containers.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the disclosed product dispensing system with container opening feature may include a dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the dispenser frame including a first support deck longitudinally extending at least partially between the front end and the rear end, and a second support deck positioned below the first support deck, the second support deck defining a product display area, and a catch element laterally extending at least partially across the first support deck, the catch element including a first end laterally opposed from a second end, wherein the first end includes a first cutting edge and the second end includes a second cutting edge.

In another aspect, the disclosed product dispensing system with container opening feature may include a dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, the dispenser frame including a first side wall, a second side wall laterally opposed from the first side wall, a first support deck positioned between the first side wall and the second side wall, the first support deck longitudinally extending at least partially between the front end and the rear end, and a second support deck positioned below the first support deck, the second support deck defining a product display area proximate the front end, a catch element connected to the first support deck, the catch element extending lateral between the first side wall and the second side wall and comprising a first end proximate the first side wall and a second end proximate the second side wall, wherein the first end includes a first cutting edge and the second end includes a second cutting edge, and a container having a plurality of walls that define an internal volume, wherein the walls include at least a front wall and a rear wall and define a first weakening feature and a second weakening feature, the first and second weakening features longitudinally extending between the front and rear walls, wherein the first cutting edge is positioned to sever the first weakening feature and the second cutting edge is positioned to sever the second weakening feature when the container is longitudinally moved along the first support deck.

Other aspects of the disclosed product dispenser and system with container opening feature will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front and side perspective view of one aspect of the disclosed product dispensing system with container-product interaction;

FIG. 2A is a bottom and side perspective view of the container of the product dispensing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a bottom and side perspective view of the container of FIG. 2A, shown with an initiation opening formed therein;

FIG. 3 is a side and bottom perspective view of the container of FIG. 2B, shown in an opened configuration;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a container blank that may be used to form the container of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, in section, of the dispenser of the product dispensing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a portion of the upper support deck of the product dispensing system of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the upper support deck of the product dispensing system of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view, in section, of the product dispensing system of FIG. 1, shown with the container in a partially loaded configuration;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a portion of the product dispensing system of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view, in section, of the product dispensing system of FIG. 8, but shown with the container in a fully loaded configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, one aspect of the disclosed product dispensing system with container opening feature, generally designated 10, may include a dispenser 12 and a container 14. The container 14 may house multiple units of product 16. The container 14 may be loaded onto the dispenser 12 by urging the container 14 generally horizontally along the dispenser 12. As the container 14 is urged along the dispenser 12, the dispenser 12 may engage and open the container 14, thereby releasing the products 16 from the container 14 to the dispenser 12.

The container 14 may be any container capable of initially housing products 16 and beneficially interacting with the disclosed dispenser 12. For example, the container 14 may be a paperboard carton or a corrugated box.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the container 14 may be a generally rectilinear container having six walls 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 that define an internal volume 30 for receiving the products 16, as shown in FIG. 8. Opposed walls 18 and 20 may define the front and rear walls, respectively, of the container 14. Opposed walls 22 and 24 may define the first (e.g., left) and second (e.g., right) side walls, respectively, of the container 14. Opposed walls 26 and 28 may define the base and upper walls, respectively, of the container 14.

In a first construction, the base wall 26 of the container 14 may include a removable priming feature 32, as shown in FIG. 2A. As shown in FIG. 2B, the removable priming feature 32 may be removed from the container 14 to reveal an initiation opening 34 that opens into the internal volume 30 of the container 14. The removable priming feature 32 may be positioned such that the initiation opening 34 is formed proximate (i.e., at or near) the rear wall 20 of the container 14, such as along the edge 44 between the base wall 26 and the rear wall 20.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the removable priming feature 32 may be a zipper strip or the like, and may be defined by two parallel, laterally extending rows of perforations 36, 38 and two parallel, longitudinally extending rows of perforations 40, 42. Weakening features other than perforations may also be used.

Thus, prior to loading the container 14 onto the dispenser 12, a user may remove the removable priming feature 32 from the container 14, such as by tearing the removable priming feature 32 from the container 14 along the rows of perforations 36, 38, 40, 42, thereby forming the initiation opening 34, as shown in FIG. 2B.

In a second construction, the initiation opening 34 may be pre-formed in the base wall 26 of the container 14. Optionally, a peelable label or the like (not shown) may be applied to the container 14 over the pre-formed initiation opening 34. Therefore, the initiation opening 34 may be revealed by peeling away the optional peelable label from the container 14.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the initiation opening 34 may extend generally laterally between the side walls 22, 24 of the container 14. For example, the initiation opening 34 may include a first (e.g., left) end 46 positioned proximate the left side wall 22 of the container 14 and a second (e.g., right) end 48 positioned proximate the right side wall 24 of the container 14.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the initiation opening 34 may be positioned at various alternative locations and may have various alternative configurations, provided that the initiation opening 34 is capable of being engaged by the dispenser 12 when the container 14 is being loaded onto the dispenser 12. As a first alternative implementation, the initiation opening 34 may be formed in the rear wall 20 of the container 14. As a second alternative implementation, the initiation opening 34 may be formed in the base wall 26, between the front 18 and rear 20 walls of the container 14. Other implementations are also contemplated.

A first weakening feature 50 may generally longitudinally extend from the initiation opening 34 toward the front wall 18 of the container 14. As one example, the first weakening feature 50 may be formed in the base wall 26 proximate the edge 52 between the base wall 26 and the left side wall 22. As another example, the first weakening feature 50 may extend along the edge 52 between the base wall 26 and the left side wall 22.

A second weakening feature 54 may generally longitudinally extend from the initiation opening 34 toward the front wall 18 of the container 14, and may be laterally spaced from the first weakening feature 50. As one example, the second weakening feature 54 may be formed in the base wall 26 proximate the edge 56 between the base wall 26 and the right side wall 24. As another example, the second weakening feature 54 may extend along the edge 56 between the base wall 26 and the right side wall 24.

The longitudinal length of the first and second weakening features 50, 54 may be dictated by the size (e.g., the diameter) of the products 16 housed in the container 14. As one example, the first and second weakening features 50, 54 may extend along at least 5 percent of the length of the edge 52. As another example, the first and second weakening features 50, 54 may extend along at least 10 percent of the length of the edge 52. As another example, the first and second weakening features 50, 54 may extend along at least 20 percent of the length of the edge 52. As yet another example, the first and second weakening features 50, 54 may extend along at least 30 percent of the length of the edge 52.

The first and second weakening features 50, 54 may facilitate the separation of a portion of the base wall 26 from the rest of the container 14, as shown in FIG. 3. In a first implementation, the first and second weakening features 50, 54 may be formed as rows of perforations. For example, the first and second weakening features 50, 54 may be formed as rows of standard perforations, as rows of micro perforations or as rows of zipper-like cuts. In a second implementation, the first and second weakening features 50, 54 may be formed by scoring the container 14. In a third implementation, the first and second weakening features 50, 54 may be formed by creasing the container 14. In a fourth implementation, the first and second weakening features 50, 54 may be formed by folding the container 14, such as by folding the container 14 to form the edges 52, 56. Other techniques useful for forming the first and second weakening features 50, 54 will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Thus, a force F (FIG. 2B) applied to the base wall 26 proximate the initiation opening 34 may partially separate a portion of the base wall 26 from the container 14 along the first and second weakening features 50, 54 to form an access panel 58, as shown in FIG. 3. As the access panel 58 is separated from the remainder of the container 14, the size of the initiation opening 34 may be significantly increased, thereby forming an access opening 60 in the container 14. The access opening 60 may allow the products 16 housed in the container 14 to be dispensed from the container 14 and, ultimately, into the dispenser 12 when the container 14 is loaded on the dispenser 12.

Optionally, one or more preformed fold lines 62 may laterally extend across the base wall 26 to encourage the access panel 58 to pivot relative to the base wall 26 of the container 14. Preformed fold lines 62 may reduce or eliminate the possibility that the access panel 58 will randomly fold or bunch-up as the access panel 58 is formed.

The container 14 may be formed from a paperboard container blank, such as the paperboard container blank 70 shown in FIG. 4. The container blank 70 may include a plurality of pre-formed fold lines 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82 that define the front wall 18, the rear wall 20, the left side wall 22, the right side wall 24, the base wall 26, the upper wall 28 and a sealing panel 72.

The container 14 may be assembled by folding the container blank 70 along the longitudinal fold lines 72, 74, 76, 78 and connecting the upper wall 28 to the sealing panel 72 to form the three-dimensional body of the container 14. Then, the front wall panels 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D may be assembled to form the front wall 18 of the container 14. Finally, the rear wall panels 20A, 20B, 20D, 20D may be assembled to form the rear wall 20 of the container 14.

The container blank 70 may be formed from a paperboard-based material, such as C1S paperboard, which may have a coating (e.g., clay) on a first major surface thereof, which may form the outer surface 84 (FIG. 1) of the container 14, and an uncoated second major surface. As another example, the paperboard-based material may be C2S paperboard, which may have a coating (e.g., clay) on both major surfaces thereof Optionally, at least one major surface of the container blank may be marked with various indicia 86 (FIG. 1), such as printed text and/or graphics.

While a specific paperboard container blank 70 is shown and described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various techniques and materials may be used to form the container 14. Folded paperboard containers are only one specific and non-limiting example of the disclosed container 14.

Various products 16 having various shapes and configurations may be initially housed in the container 14, as shown in FIG. 8, and may be dispensed from the container 14 to the dispenser 12, as shown in FIG. 10. Suitable products 16 include cans (e.g., canned soup or pet food), jars (e.g., jarred sauce) or bottles (e.g., bottled soft drinks)

Referring to FIG. 5, the dispenser 12 may include a frame 100, a catch element 102 and an access panel guide 143. The frame 100 of the dispenser 12 may support the container 14 in a desired configuration, such as a slightly declined, but generally horizontal configuration, as shown in FIG. 10. As the container 14 is generally horizontally urged along the dispenser 12 to the configuration shown in FIG. 10, the catch element 102 may engage the initiation opening 34 (FIG. 2B) in the container 14 to separate the access panel 58 (FIG. 3) from the container 14, and guide the access panel 58 through a channel 154 defined by the guide element 143, as is described in greater detail herein.

The frame 100 may include a first (e.g., right) side wall 104, a second (e.g., left) side wall 106 (FIG. 1), an upper support deck 108, a lower support deck 110 and, optionally, one or more intermediate support decks 112 (only one is shown in FIG. 5) positioned between the upper support deck 108 and the lower support deck 110. The right side wall 104 may be laterally spaced from the left side wall 106, and may be generally parallel with the left side wall 106.

The lower support deck 110 may laterally extend between the right and left side walls 104, 106, and may include a front end 114 that longitudinally extends toward the front end 116 of the frame 100 and a rear end 118 that longitudinally extends toward the rear end 120 of the frame 100. Therefore, the lower support deck 110 and the side walls 104, 106 may define a lower level 122 of the frame 100.

The lower support deck 110 may be inclined from the front end 114 to the rear end 118 (i.e., the rear end 118 may be elevated relative to the front end 114) such that products 16 deposited proximate the rear end 118 of the lower support deck 110 roll down to the front end 114 of the lower support deck 110 under the force of gravity.

A stop 124 may be positioned proximate the front end 114 of the lower support deck 110 to prevent products 16 from rolling beyond the front end 114 of the lower support deck 110. Therefore, the stop 124 may collect products 16 at the front end 114 of the lower support deck 110, thereby defining a first product display area 126 proximate the front end 114 of the lower support deck 110.

The intermediate support deck 112 may be positioned between the upper support deck 108 and the lower support deck 110. The intermediate support deck 112 may laterally extend between the right and left side walls 104, 106, and may include a front end 128 that longitudinally extends toward the front end 116 of the frame 100 and a rear end 130 that longitudinally extends toward, but not to, the rear end 120 of the frame 100. Therefore, the intermediate support deck 112 and the side walls 104, 106 may define an intermediate level 132 of the frame 100.

The spacing between the rear end 130 of the intermediate support deck 112 and the rear end 120 of the frame 100 may define an opening 134, which may function as a chute to allow products 16 to move from the intermediate level 132 down to the lower level 122 of the frame 100 under the force of gravity.

The intermediate support deck 112 may be inclined from the front end 128 to the rear end 130 (i.e., the rear end 130 may be elevated relative to the front end 128) such that products 16 deposited proximate the rear end 130 of the intermediate support deck 112 roll down to the front end 128 of the intermediate support deck 112 under the force of gravity.

A stop 136 may be positioned proximate the front end 128 of the intermediate support deck 112 to prevent products 16 from rolling beyond the front end 128 of the intermediate support deck 112. Therefore, the stop 136 may collect products 16 at the front end 128 of the intermediate support deck 112, thereby defining a second product display area 138 proximate the front end 128 of the intermediate support deck 112. Optionally, the second product display area 138 may be longitudinally displaced (e.g., inwardly) relative to the first product display area 126.

The upper support deck 108 may laterally extend between the right and left side walls 104, 106, and may include a front end 140 that longitudinally extends toward the front end 116 of the frame 100 and a rear end 142 that longitudinally extends toward, but not to, the rear end 120 of the frame 100. Therefore, the upper support deck 108 and the side walls 104, 106 may define an upper level 144 of the frame 100.

The spacing between the rear end 142 of the upper support deck 108 and the rear end 120 of the frame 100 may define an opening 146, which may function as a chute to allow products 16 to move from the upper level 144 down to the intermediate and lower levels 132, 122 of the frame 100 under the force of gravity.

The upper support deck 108 may be declined from the front end 140 to the rear end 142 (i.e., the front end 140 may be elevated relative to the rear end 142). Therefore, products 16 supported on the upper support deck 108 may roll under the force of gravity down toward the rear end 142 of the upper support deck 108, through the opening 146, to the lower and intermediate levels 132, 122 of the frame 100 and, ultimately, to the first and second product display areas 126, 138.

Referring to FIG. 6, the upper support deck 108 may define a pre-engagement drop zone 155 proximate the rear end 142 of the upper support deck 108. The drop zone 155 may be recessed relative to the upper surface 109 of the upper support deck 108 such that the upper surface 111 of the drop zone 155 is vertically displaced a distance D relative to the upper surface 109 of the upper support deck 108. In one construction, the distance D may be at least 0.25 inches. In another construction, the distance D may be at least 0.5 inches.

The drop zone 155 may have a longitudinal length L, which may be measured from the forward-most tip 103 of the catch element 102 to the point P where the upper surface 109 of the upper support deck 108 transitions to the first end 157 of the drop zone 155. In one implementation, the length L may be less than or equal to 125% of the diameter of a product 16 (FIG. 8). In another implementation, the length L may be less than or equal to 100% of the diameter of a product 16. In another implementation, the length L may be at least 75% of the diameter of a product 16. In yet another implementation, the length L may be at least 50% of the diameter of a product 16.

Referring to FIG. 8, the drop zone 155 may allow the weight of a product 16′ positioned in the container 14 and over the drop zone 155 to urge (under the force of gravity) the rear edge 66 of the base wall 26 of the container 14 downward into the drop zone 155. With the rear edge 66 of the base wall 26 of the container 14 extending downward into the drop zone 155 as the container 14 is urged along the upper support deck 108 toward the rear end 120 of the frame 100, the rear edge 66 of the base wall 26 may be more likely to extend below the catch element 102 such that the catch element 102 extends through the initiation opening 34 (FIG. 2B) in the container 14 and separates the access panel 58.

Thus, the use of a drop zone 155 positioned proximate the catch element 102 may reduce or eliminate the risk that the catch element 102 will not properly engage the container 14 and effect separation of the access panel 58.

Referring back to FIG. 5, the frame 100 of the dispenser 12 may further include an optional rear wall 148. The rear wall 148 may function as a stop proximate the rear end 120 of the frame 100, thereby inhibiting rearward horizontal movement of the container 14 along the upper support deck 108 beyond the rear wall 148.

A guide 150 may be connected to, or integral with, the rear wall 148. The guide 150 may extend from proximate the opening 146 in the upper level 144 defined by the upper support deck 108, down through the opening 134 in the intermediate level 132 defined by the intermediate support deck 112 and, ultimately, down to the lower level 122 proximate the rear end 118 of the lower support deck 110.

Thus, the guide 150 may receive products 16 exiting through the access opening 60 (FIG. 3) in the container 14 and may guide the products 16 down proximate the rear end 118 of the lower support deck 110, thereby allowing the products 16 guided to the lower level 122 to ultimately move to the first product display area 126. Once the lower level 122 of the frame 100 has been filled with products 16 such that the opening 134 in the intermediate level 132 is bridged by a product 16B (FIG. 10), the guide 150 may guide the products 16 down proximate the rear end 130 of the intermediate support deck 112, thereby allowing the products 16 guided to the intermediate level 132 to ultimately move to the second product display area 138.

Referring to FIGS. 5-7, the catch element 102 may be positioned between the front end 140 and the rear end 142 of the upper support deck 108, and may longitudinally protrude toward the front end 116 of the frame 100. For example, the catch element 102 may include a base portion 101 (FIG. 6) connected proximate the rear end 142 of the upper support deck 108 and a body 113 (FIG. 6) that may be longitudinally tapered from the base portion 101 to the forward-most tip 103 (FIG. 6). The tip 103 may be formed at the intersection of the upper surface 115 and the lower surface 121 (FIG. 9) of the catch element 102, and may laterally extend across the catch element 102.

In an effort to minimize interference between the catch element 102 and the container 14 during loading, the upper surface 115 of the catch element 102 may be substantially co-planar with the upper surface 109 of the upper support deck 108, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that slight displacement and/or a slight angle of the upper surface 115 of the catch element 102 relative to the upper surface 109 of the upper support deck 108 may encourage engagement of the initiation opening 34 (FIG. 2B) in the container 14 by the catch element 102 during loading of the container 14 onto the dispenser 12.

The catch element 102 may laterally extend between the side walls 104, 106 of the frame 100. Specifically, the catch element 102 may include a first (right) end 105 (FIG. 7) that may extend toward the right side wall 104 and a second (left) end 107 (FIG. 7) that may extend toward the left side wall 106.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, the right end 105 of the catch element 102 may include a cutting surface 117 that is at a non-zero angle relative to the upper surface 115 of the catch element 102 and at a non-zero angle relative to the plane (e.g., vertical plane) defined by the right side wall 104. Therefore, a cutting edge 119 may be defined between the cutting surface 117 and the lower surface 121 (FIG. 9) of the catch element 102 proximate the right end 105 of the catch element 102. While the cutting edge 119 is shown having some curvature, a substantially straight cutting edge 119 is also contemplated.

Like the right end 105, the left end 107 of the catch element 102 may include a cutting surface 123 that is at a non-zero angle relative to the upper surface 115 of the catch element 102 and at a non-zero angle relative to the plane (e.g., vertical plane) defined by the left side wall 106. Therefore, a cutting edge 125 may be defined between the cutting surface 123 and the lower surface 121 (FIG. 9) of the catch element 102 proximate the left end 107 of the catch element 102. While the cutting edge 125 is shown having some curvature, a substantially straight cutting edge 125 is also contemplated.

In end view (FIG. 9), the cutting edges 119, 125 may be disposed at an angle T relative to a plane coincident with the upper surface 115 of the catch element 102 (or relative to a plane coincident with the upper surface 109 of the upper support deck 108). In one expression, the angle T may range from about 15 to about 75 degrees. In another expression, the angle T may range from about 25 to about 65 degrees. In yet another expression, the angle T may range from about 35 to about 55 degrees. As a specific example, the angle T may be about 45 degrees.

At this point, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the sharpness (i.e., the cutting ability) of the cutting edges 119, 125 may depend on the extent of the weakness of the first and second weakening features 54, 50 (FIG. 2B) of the container 14 that will be severed by the cutting edges 119, 125. For example, when the weakening features 54, 50 have introduced a relatively significant amount of weakening to the container (e.g., when the weakening features 54, 50 are perforations), the cutting edges 119, 125 may be relatively blunt but still capable of severing the weakening features 54, 50 with a minimum amount of force. However, when the weakening features 54, 50 have introduced relatively little weakening to the container (e.g., when the weakening features 54, 50 are light scores or creases), the cutting edges 119, 125 may be relatively sharp to ensure that the weakening features 54, 50 may be severed with a minimum amount of force.

The access panel guide 143 may be connected to the upper support deck 108, and may define a guide channel 154 configured to guide the access panel 58 below the upper support deck 108 as the access panel 58 (FIG. 3) is being separated from the container 14 by the catch element 102. The guide channel 154 may laterally extend between the side walls 104, 106 of the frame 100, and may have a lateral width sufficient to allow the access panel 58 to pass therethrough. The guide channel 154 may extend from an entrance passage 156, to a curved portion 153 and, ultimately, down below the upper support deck 108.

The entrance passage 156 may extend along a passage axis P (FIG. 6) that is generally parallel with the upper surface 109 of the upper support deck 108, and may open toward the front end 116 of the frame 100 (e.g., toward the drop zone 155). The entrance passage 156 may have a longitudinal length M measured from the forward-most tip 103 of the catch element 102 to the beginning of the curved portion 153 of the guide channel 154. In one expression, the longitudinal length M of the entrance passage 156 may be at least 0.1 inches. In another expression, the longitudinal length M of the entrance passage 156 may be at least 0.2 inches. In another expression, the longitudinal length M of the entrance passage 156 may be at least 0.25 inches. In another expression, the longitudinal length M of the entrance passage 156 may be at least 0.3 inches. In another expression, the longitudinal length M of the entrance passage 156 may be at least 0.4 inches. In yet another expression, the longitudinal length M of the entrance passage 156 may be at least 0.5 inches.

Without being limited to any particular theory, it is believed that providing a guide channel 154 having a relatively longitudinally straight entrance passage 156 may facilitate separation of the access panel 58 (FIG. 3) from the container 14 sufficiently prior to any redirection of the access panel 58 by the curved portion 153 of the guide channel 154, thereby reducing (if not eliminating) the risk that the separated access panel 58 will become bunched-up in the guide channel 154. Therefore, separation and redirection of the access panel 58 may occur in stages, with the first stage being separation.

The curved portion 153 of the guide channel 154 may have a curvature sufficient to redirect the separated access panel 58. For example, the curved portion 153 of the guide channel 154 may be generally C-shaped, and may redirect the separated access panel 58 toward the front end 116 of the frame 100.

Thus, as a container 14 is moved longitudinally along the upper support deck 108 toward the rear end 120 of the frame 100, the catch element 102 may engage the initiation opening 34 (FIG. 2B) in the container 14 and may initiate separation of the access panel 58 (FIG. 3) from the container 14. With separation of the access panel 58 initiated, the access panel guide 143 may receive the separated access panel 58 and, after the separated access panel 58 has travelled through the entrance passage 156, may redirect the separated access panel 58 such that the separated access panel 58 does not interfere with the products 16 exiting the container 14 and moving through the dispenser 12.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate the container 14 being loaded onto the dispenser 12 such that the catch element 102 of the dispenser 12 engages and opens the container 14, thereby releasing the products 16 initially housed in the container 14 to the dispenser 12. Specifically, FIGS. 8-10 illustrate the container 14 being urged generally horizontally along the upper support deck 108 (i.e., along the longitudinal axis A (FIG. 8) of the upper support deck 108) toward the rear end 120 of the dispenser frame 100, thereby automatically opening the container 14 and dispensing the products 16 from the container 14 to the dispenser 12.

As shown in FIG. 8, as the initiation opening 34 (FIG. 2B) in the container 14 approximates the catch element 102 of the dispenser 12, the catch element 102 may pass through the initiation opening 34. With the catch element 102 extending through the initiation opening 34, the rear edge 66 of the base wall 26 of the container 14 may be directed downward into the entrance passage 156 of the guide channel 154.

When the dispenser 12 is provided with a drop zone 155, the weight of a product 16′ (FIG. 8) may urge the rear edge 66 of the base wall 26 of the container 14 downward into the drop zone 155 during loading, as shown in FIG. 8. Therefore, the drop zone 155 may ensure that the rear edge 66 of the container 14 is positioned below, and thus the initiation opening 34 is engaged by, the catch element 102.

As shown in FIG. 9, once the catch element 102 is engaged with the container 14, the cutting edges 119, 125 of the catch element 102 may be aligned with the respective first and second weakening features 54, 50 (FIG. 2B) that extend along the edges 56, 52 of the container 14. Therefore, as the container 14 is further urged generally horizontally along the upper support deck 108, the cutting edges 119, 125 of the catch element 102 may sever the respective weakening features 54, 50 (FIG. 2B) of the container 14, thereby causing separation of the access panel 58 (FIG. 3) from the container 14 along the weakening features 50, 54 and, ultimately, the formation of the access opening 60 (FIG. 3) in the container 14.

As shown in FIG. 8, as the container 14 is urged further along the dispenser 12, the separated access panel 58 may continue to longitudinally extend through the entrance passage 156 until it reaches the curved portion 153 of the channel 154. Thus, an initial separation stage may occur prior to the separated access panel 58 reaching the curved portion 153 of the guide channel 154.

As shown in FIG. 10, as the container 14 continues to longitudinally move along the upper support deck 108 toward the rear end 120 of the dispenser 12, the separated access panel 58 extends through both the entrance passage 156 and the curved portion 153 of the guide channel 154, thereby forming the access opening 60 (FIG. 3) in the container 14. Due to the curved (roundabout chicane) shape of the guide channel 154, the separated access panel 58 may be directed toward the front end 116 of the dispenser 12 such that the separated access panel 58 does not interact with the products 16 supported on, and moving along, the intermediate support deck 112 of the frame 100.

With the container 14 fully loaded onto the dispenser 12, the access opening 60 (FIG. 3) formed in the container 14 may be aligned with the openings 134, 146 of the frame 100. Therefore, the force of gravity may urge the products 16 initially housed in the container 16 through the access opening 60 in the container 14, through the openings 134, 146 in the frame 100, and down to the lower support deck 110 and, ultimately, to the first product display area 126. Once the lower level 122 of the frame 100 has been filled with products 16 such that the opening 134 in the intermediate level 132 is bridged by a product 16′, the remaining products 16 exiting the container 14 through the access opening 60 may move onto the intermediate support deck 112 and, ultimately, to the second product display area 138.

Thus, the cutting edges 119, 125 positioned at the lateral ends 105, 107 of the catch element 102 may reduce the amount of force required to urge the container 14 along the upper support deck 108 of the dispenser 12 by reducing the amount of force required to sever the weakening features 54, 50 of the container 14. As such, the cutting edges 119, 125 may simplify the process of loading a container 14 onto a dispenser 12.

Although various aspects of the disclosed product dispenser and system with container opening feature have been shown and described, modifications may occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification. The present application includes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A product dispensing system comprising: a dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, said dispenser frame comprising: a first support deck longitudinally extending at least partially between said front end and said rear end; and a second support deck positioned below said first support deck, said second support deck defining a product display area; and a catch element laterally extending at least partially across said first support deck, said catch element comprising a first end laterally opposed from a second end, wherein said first end comprises a first cutting edge and said second end comprises a second cutting edge.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein said catch element is connected to said first support deck.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein said catch element comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, a first cutting surface and a second cutting surface.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein said lower surface intersects with said first cutting surface at said first cutting edge and said lower surface intersects with said second cutting surface at said second cutting edge.
 5. The system of claim 3 wherein said upper surface intersects with said lower surface at a tip.
 6. The system of claim 5 wherein said tip protrudes toward said front end of said frame.
 7. The system of claim 3 wherein said first support deck defines an upper surface and a first plane is coincident with said upper surface of said first support deck, and wherein a second plane is coincident with said upper surface of said catch element, said first plane being substantially parallel with said second plane.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein said first support deck defines an upper surface, and wherein said first cutting edge extends at a non-zero angle relative to a plane coincident with said upper surface.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein said non-zero angle ranges from about 15 to about 75 degrees.
 10. The system of claim 8 wherein said non-zero angle ranges from about 25 to about 65 degrees.
 11. The system of claim 8 wherein said non-zero angle ranges from about 35 to about 55 degrees.
 12. The system of claim 1 wherein said product display area is positioned proximate said front end.
 13. The system of claim 1 wherein said first support deck defines a guide channel extending below said first support deck, said guide channel comprising an entrance passage that opens proximate said catch element.
 14. The system of claim 13 wherein said entrance passage defines a passage axis, and wherein said first support deck defines a longitudinal axis, said passage axis being substantially parallel with said longitudinal axis.
 15. The system of claim 13 wherein said guide channel further comprises a curved portion connected to said entrance portion.
 16. The system of claim 1 wherein said first support deck defines a recessed drop zone proximate said catch element.
 17. The system of claim 1 further comprising a container, wherein said container comprises a plurality of walls that define an internal volume, wherein said plurality of walls comprise at least a front wall and a rear wall, and a plurality of products initially received in said internal volume.
 18. The system of claim 17 wherein said plurality of walls define a first weakening feature and a second weakening feature, wherein said first and said second weakening features generally longitudinally extend between said front wall and said rear wall.
 19. The system of claim 18 wherein said first cutting edge is positioned to sever said first weakening feature and said second cutting edge is positioned to sever said second weakening feature when said container is longitudinally moved along said first support deck.
 20. A product dispensing system comprising: a dispenser frame having a front end longitudinally opposed from a rear end, said dispenser frame comprising: a first side wall; a second side wall laterally opposed from said first side wall; a first support deck positioned between said first side wall and said second side wall, said first support deck longitudinally extending at least partially between said front end and said rear end; and a second support deck positioned below said first support deck, said second support deck defining a product display area proximate said front end; a catch element connected to said first support deck, said catch element extending lateral between said first side wall and said second side wall and comprising a first end proximate said first side wall and a second end proximate said second side wall, wherein said first end comprises a first cutting edge and said second end comprises a second cutting edge; and a container comprising a plurality of walls that define an internal volume, wherein said plurality of walls comprise at least a front wall and a rear wall and define a first weakening feature and a second weakening feature, said first and said second weakening features longitudinally extending between said front wall and said rear wall, wherein said first cutting edge is positioned to sever said first weakening feature and said second cutting edge is positioned to sever said second weakening feature when said container is longitudinally moved along said first support deck. 